El Cheapo Low Tech Recycled DC Generator

Motors are generators too! Pick up a spent cordless drill at a garage sale. Recycle the battery and all the parts except the chuck, motor and gear reduction. When driven the whole thing becomes a generator. The out put voltage and current can  almost approximate the running current and voltage as if it were a motor.

Step 1: Mounting and Housing

If your generator is going to be outside it needs some protection and a mounting.
2x4 mount
ring clamp large enough to fit around body of reduction
2 metal  brackets
4 screws
Epoxy glue slow set

The ring clamp is mounted to the wood with the metal brackets over the ring clamp
Apply glue and let it set up.